Round Twelve of the Aviva Premiership saw victories for Northampton Saints, Leicester Tigers, Gloucester, Harlequins, Saracens and Wasps. Here are my Top 5 Talking Points After Round 12.
1: Tenacious Tigers Tame Bath
Leicester Tigers avenged the 45-0 trashing Bath handed them in Round 3 with a nine point win at Welford Road. The win moved the Tigers into the top four, albeit for 24 hours as Wasps jumped ahead of them on point’s difference after their win against Sale Sharks.
The 24,000 strong crowd saw the Tigers start the better and were rewarded with Tom Young’s try. Owen Williams kicked the rest of their points in the 17-9 win. Richard Cockerill’s side defence was also very impressive with Bath only getting a consolation try in the 79th minute.
Next up for Leicester is a tough trip to Harlequins this weekend. The win was followed up with more good news with Graham Kitchener and Owen Williams signing new contracts with the club. Williams had been linked with a return to the Scarlets.
2: Priestland Signs For Bath
Bath have announced the signing of Welsh international out half Rhys Priestland from the Scarlets on what is believed to be a two year deal. Priestland has been with the Scarlets for 10 years and will join his new club at the end of the season.
Bath owner Bruce Craig has already paid out big money to sign Sam Burgess this season and the club have announced the signing of Glasgow’s Fijian born scrum half Niko Matawalu for next season already. The club has also been linked with South African No. 8 Duane Vermeulen in recent weeks.
The signing of Priestland will provide direct competition for England out half George Ford. Ford is the only recognised 10 in the Bath squad with Ollie Devoto and Gavin Henson providing cover so it is no surprise that Bath have chosen to add in this position.
3: Sorry Welsh Lose 11 On The Bounce
The nightmare season continues for London Welsh as they suffered their 11th defeat on the trot. Harlequins were the latest team to come away with victory from the Kassam Stadium on a scoreline of 13-24.
To be fair to Welsh they were competitive in the first half, going in at the short whistle only two points down. Sadly, like the majority of their games this season, the second half didn’t match the first and Justin Burnell’s side could only manage three further points.
Plenty has been said about Welsh’s sorry stay in the Aviva Premiership this season but to be fair to them they are not throwing in the towel in any game. They have been let down by a number of their high profile signings, players that they needed to be at their best to have any hope of surviving.
4: Hanrahan and Gopperth Sign Up For Saints & Wasps
Rhys Priestland isn’t the only high profile out half move to the Aviva Premiership announced this week. JJ Hanrahan has decided to leave Munster for Northampton Saints and rejected a three year deal to stay at the Irish Province.
Jimmy Gopperth’s move from Leinster to Wasps has been flagged for a while now and is no surprise given Jonny Sexton is returning home from Racing Metro. New Zealand born Gopperth has played in England with Newcastle Falcons before leaving for Leinster.
Hanrahan’s move to Franklins Gardens is a surprise given his young age and Saints will feel that the signing is a major coup. The 22 year old is a versatile player but sees his future at out half and will provide major competition to Northampton’s regular number 10 Stephen Myler.
5: Quins and Tigers Lock Horns In Game Of The Weekend
Harlequins will be looking to get to within one point of their opponents Leicester Tigers in the Premiership’s game of the weekend at the Twickenham Stoop. The Tigers had a 22-16 win when the sides met earlier this season in Round 6 at Welford Road.
Quins have had a torrid season up to now but have shown signs in the last few weeks that they are coming into a bit of form. Key to this mini revival has been the outstanding form of their evergreen number 8 Nick Easter.
Easter will need to be at his best against a Tigers side who will be full of confidence after their hard fought win against Bath last weekend. Harlequins are expected to be without the influential Nick Evans and Tim Swiel will continue to deputise.
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